MANILA—Four decades after the 1986 uprising, Senator Bam Aquino described EDSA People Power 1 as an “unfinished revolution,” stressing the need for unity to confront corruption, abuse of authority, and inequality.

Aquino delivered the message during the “Prayer Power sa EDSA” event commemorating the 40th anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution. He said the spirit of the peaceful revolt must continue to guide Filipinos as the country grapples with persistent problems such as poverty, hunger, and corruption.

“Ang rebolusyon na nakita natin noon, hindi pa siya tapos. Hindi pa siya kumpleto. Hindi pa siya ganap,” Aquino stressed.

“Kailangan pa pong tapusin ang kwento. Kailangan pa pong kumpletuhin ang rebolusyon. Kailangan pa pong makita ang mga pangako ng EDSA at kung forty years kailangan, forty years po ang tatahakin natin para makumpleto ang mga po ‘yan,” he added.

Drawing a parallel to the biblical account of the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land, Aquino said Filipinos must remain focused and uphold the unity that defined the 1986 revolt.

“Forty years na po ang lumipas, panahon na po na mahanap natin ang lupang pangako. Panahon na po na buuin natin at kumpletuhin natin ang istorya ng EDSA,” he emphasized.

Aquino highlighted what he called the Filipino people’s “superpower” — the capacity to unite, sacrifice, and put the nation first — as key to overcoming present-day challenges.

“Ang mga Pilipino, may kakayahang magsama-sama, may kakayahang magkaisa, may kakayahang magbigay ng sarili at iuna ang bayan kaysa sa sarili natin. May kakayahan po tayo niyan at kailangan po nating hanapin muli iyong katapangan, hanapin muli iyong kabayanihan na alam natin na nandiyan sa ating mga tiyan,” he pointed out.

He also expressed confidence in the role of the youth in advancing the promises of EDSA, likening them to the next generation of Israelites who ultimately reached the Promised Land.

“Ngayon po na nandito tayo ngayon, ang kabataan na naman ang lumaban. Ang kabataan na naman ang pinakamalakas ang boses kapag may katiwalaan sa ating gobyerno. Itong henerasyong po ito, ito po ang henerasyon na kumpleto ng pangako ng EDSA,” he said.

Aquino noted that young people were at the forefront of condemning the flood control scandal, initiating online protests that eventually led to the first Trillion Peso March on September 21, 2025.

“Ang kabataan na naman po ang pinakamalakas ang boses kapag may katiwalaan sa ating gobyerno. Ang una nilang ginawa, hindi sa lansangan, doon po sa online. Doon po muna nagprotesta bago pumunta dito (EDSA) noong September 21. Nakita natin ang lakas, ang boses ng kabataan, ang henerasyon na siya ang talagang magkukumpleto ng pangako ng EDSA,” he emphasized.

Aquino maintained that the EDSA Revolution should not be treated merely as a historical lesson confined to textbooks, but as a continuing framework for nation-building.

“Ang EDSA Revolution, hindi ‘yan isang bagay na para sa mga textbook at sa ating nakaraan kasaysayan. Ito po ay ang gabay at plano sa ating kinabukasan. Gamitin po natin ang nakita ho natin noon, kung paano natin tatahakin ang ating daan,” he said.

Aquino and the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, along with Joy Belmonte and the Mayors for Good Governance, also organized the People Power 40 Kick-Off Concert at Quezon Memorial Circle, which drew more than 20,000 attendees, most of them young people.